Father and mother may be seen to
discard the dear son if fallen.[411] People take care of their own
selves. Behold the efficacy of self-interest. O thou that art possessed
of great wisdom, his escape is very difficult who immediately after he is
freed from danger seeks the means of his enemy's happiness. Thou camest
down from the tree-top to this very spot. Thou couldst not, from levity
of understanding, ascertain that a net had been spread here. A person,
possessed of levity of understanding, fails to protect his own self. How
can he protect others? Such a person, without doubt, ruins all his acts.
Thou tellest me in sweet words that I am very dear to thee. Hear me,
however, O friend, the reasons that exist on my side. One becomes dear
from an adequate cause. One becomes a foe from an adequate cause. This
whole world of creatures is moved by the desire of gain (in some form or
other). One never becomes dear to another (without cause). The friendship
between two uterine brothers, the love between husband and wife, depends
upon interest. I do not know any kind of affection between any persons
that does not rest upon some motive of self-interest. If, as is sometimes
seen, uterine brothers or husband and wife having quarrelled reunite
together from a natural affection, such a thing is not to be seen in
persons unconnected with one another. One becomes dear for one's
liberality. Another becomes dear for his sweet words. A third becomes so
in consequence of his religious acts.
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